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2026 NNGC

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Layout Tours

Puffer Bridge Lines

Scale: HO This fantastic layout first appeared in the February, 2009 issue of Model Railroader and most recently is featured for the month of April in the NMRA™ 2026 calendar. This freelance railroad contains many highly detailed scenes featuring high bridges and urban settings that are sure to peak your interest. Animation is everywhere on this layout, such as an operating … [Read more...] about Puffer Bridge Lines

Minnesota Commercial Railroad

Scale: HO The Minnesota Commercial is a small industrial railroad located in and around the twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. It began operations in 1987 after taking over the former Minnesota Transfer Railroad. The railroad is a modelers dream of switching lines, each of which could be modeled for a model railroad. The Commercial was also known for its locomotive … [Read more...] about Minnesota Commercial Railroad

The Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad

Scale: HO The 'Ma & Pa' is a shortline railroad that ran from Baltimore, Maryland to York, Pennsylvania. This multi-level layout condenses the prototype's 77 mile length with its countless curves and 111 bridges into a scale 6.5 mile point-to-point journey. This layout is designed for operation to reflect the prototype's Timetable No. 61 in effect on Sunday April 30, … [Read more...] about The Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad

Minnesota Heartland Centralsota

Scale: S This large layout features two long routes that circle the basement which allows for long trains to run.  Within this circle are four distinct railroad operations which include an active staging area, the 27th Ave industrial area, a downtown switching area which includes an interchange yard and Heartland Junction where the Minnesota Heartland leaves the main to work … [Read more...] about Minnesota Heartland Centralsota

Minneapolis North Western

Scale: N Construction began on the freelance Minneapolis North Western in January of 2015 and includes features that the layout owner always wanted in a layout such as a big passenger station, a large locomotive service facility with a 9-stall roundhouse and 130' turntable and a big yard. The double decked layout's design includes a double track mainline that circles a … [Read more...] about Minneapolis North Western

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CLINICS, TOURS, & MORE

Home Layout Tours

The 46th National Narrow Gauge Convention features many fine home layouts … [Read More...] about Home Layout Tours

Inspirational Clinics

High quality clinics are one of the most popular features of the annual … [Read More...] about Inspirational Clinics

Vendors and Exhibitors

The vendor and exhibitor rooms are one of the most popular features of the … [Read More...] about Vendors and Exhibitors

Convention Hotel

We are excited to once again host the 46th National Narrow Gauge Convention at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington, located at

46th NNGC Promo Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mP8HejuXQE

Important Dates

Most important dates.

46th NNGC: September 2 — 5, 2026

Early Bird Registration Ends: May 31, 2026

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2026 NNGC FAQs

Here are Frequently Asked Questions about the convention:

Minnesota’s Three Major Railroads

From Minnesota Digital Library:

“The growth of Minnesota can be tied directly to the growth of railroads. The railroads supported farmers, millers, miners, and loggers by moving the raw materials they produced to sell at markets. In turn, the railroads brought other goods and products to the people to build their homes, businesses, and towns. Railroads also brought immigrants to settle the land and provided jobs and income to laborers and investors.

Three of Minnesota’s major railroads were the Northern Pacific, the Great Northern, and the Soo Line. While these three were not the only railroads that operated in Minnesota, they had a major impact on the state.

The U.S. Congress chartered the Northern Pacific Railway in 1864 to build a transcontinental railroad from Lake Superior to the Pacific coast. When it was completed in 1883, the railroad had laid nearly 6,800 miles of track through Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Its headquarters were in St. Paul, Minnesota.”

Minnesota Lingo

From ThievesRiver.com:

1) Uff da

Background: A Scandinavian import, particularly from Norwegian, “uff da” is widely used to express dismay, exhaustion or sometimes even relief. It embodies the stoic yet expressive nature of Minnesotans.

Example: “Uff da! I forgot my wallet at the cabin. Now I can’t pay for the meat raffle tickets, gosh darn it!”

2) You Betcha

Background: This phrase epitomizes the friendly and positive attitude of Minnesotans. It’s often said with enthusiasm and is used to mean “absolutely” or “you can count on it.”

Example: “Do you want to come to the hockey game this weekend? Grain Belts are on me!” – “You betcha!”

Read more at ThievesRiver.com

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